German Foreign Policy, 1933 - 39

Nazifa Chowdhury

Questions to address:
What were the aims of Hitlers foreign policy and how was it perceived by the German public? What were the connections between German foreign and military policy? Why didnt the Allies stop Hitler before 1939? How did German foreign policy develop between 1933 1939?

Historiography
Intentionalist school of thought pre 1960s Structuralist school of thought AJP Taylor Mid way: Alan Bullock

Hitlers Secret Book (Zweltes Buch)

This soil is not allotted to anyone, nor is it presented to anyone as a gift. It is awarded by Providence to people who in their hearts have the courage to take possession of it...Hence every healthy, vigorous Folk sees nothing sinful in territorial acquisition.

Phases of Foreign Policy

1933 1935: Caution 1936: Rhineland occupation Turning point 1936 7: Escalation 1938: Route to war?

Foreign Policy aims:

Volksgemeinschaft racially pure community to form basis of New Germany; unlimited expansion 1000 Year Reich Revise Treaty of Versailles (1919) Lebensraum to be taken from the inferior Slavs. Consistent with Mein Kampf (1924) and in line with domestic aims.

Chronology
1934 Night of Long Knives 1934 Plebiscite on Constituional Reform 1933 Germany leaves League of Nations; Poland alliance

1935 Conscription; Anglo-German Naval Treaty

1935 Saarland Plebiscite 1936 Reoccupy Rhineland 1936 Plebiscite over Rhineland 1937 Hossbach Memorandum/Conference 1938 Control of the Army 1938 Anschluss 1938 Austrian plebiscite 1938 Sudentenland crisis

Factors:
International context - Italy - Western powers - League of Nations - Internal strife within targeted countries Domestic support - Cult of the Fuhrer propaganda - Submission of opponents

Stanley Baldwin, Prime Minister in 1936

We all know the German desireto move East; and if he moves East, it shall not break my heart.

Kershaw, I (2001) The Hitler Myth

Frustration and disappointment with the realities of everyday lifeled ordinary German to grumble and complain, but seldom to engage in behaviour that can be appropriately termed resistance. Why? Organised terror played a central role. But the most central mechanism...was Hitlers charismatic leadership. The Hitler myth secured the loyalty of the regime of even those who opposed the Nazi movement itself. Hitlers foreign policy and military successes also convinced ordinary Germanythat the Fuhrer was a brilliant and indeed infallible, statesmen.who was leading Germany to world power.